Know About Colonoscopy Procedure, Preparation And Symptoms

Colonoscopy is an examination that allows doctors to look inside your large intestine. The procedure is performed with the help of a flexible camera, attached to a tube called scope. Doctors may perform the colonoscopy procedure to look for diseases or abnormalities in your colon. Colonoscopy can also be performed to check for possible signs of colon cancer and identify any ulcers, irritated or swollen tissue. [1] Read on to understand more about colonoscopy procedure.

Additional Read: Types of Cancer

Why do doctors use the colonoscopy procedure? 

With a colonoscopy, doctors can identify the causes of your symptoms such as 

• Changes in your bowel movement 
• Blood coming out of the anus
• Abdominal pain
• Unexplained and sudden weight loss 

Doctors also use this procedure as a screening tool to diagnose diseases with no symptoms or for prevention. This screening takes place specially for cancer and colon polyps. This helps identify diseases at an early stage, when there are better chances to recover from it.

How can you prepare for a colonoscopy? 

Preparing for a colonoscopy requires you to change your diet to clean out your bowel, for which your doctor will guide you. Make sure you discuss with doctors your health problems, as well as supplements, OTC medicines and vitamins that you are taking including: 

• Arthritis medicines  
• Diabetes medicine 
• Aspirin 
• Vitamins containing iron 
• Blood thinners 
• Ibuprofen or any other anti-inflammatory drug 

Your doctor will then provide you a written set of instructions to prep your bowel at home. This is done so that very little or no amount of stool remains in your intestine. This is important as if there is stool present in your intestine, it can prevent your doctor from being able to see the lining of the organ clearly. 

Doctors may ask you to follow a liquid diet for 1 or 2 days before your procedure. Make sure you avoid purple or red colored gelatins or drinks. Your doctor will provide specific instructions on when to start and stop the liquid diet. The liquids that can be included in your diet are 

• Water
• Tea and coffee- without milk or cream
• Strained fresh fruit juices – like apple juice and white grape juice, but avoid orange juice
• Gelatin – flavors such as orange, lime or lemon
• Broth
• Sports drinks – flavors such as lime and lemon 

Your bowel prep may also contain a combination of laxative pills or powders that you can swallow or dissolve in the clear fluids you are taking. This is likely to cause diarrhea so you don’t need to panic. The bowel prep is a very important part of the colonoscopy procedure and should be done exactly according to the guidance from your specialist [2].

Symptoms after colonoscopy

How do doctors perform a colonoscopy? 

Doctors perform this test in the hospital or at an outpatient center. Colonoscopy procedure takes about 30 to 60 minutes. Healthcare professionals start of by placing an IV (intravenous) needle into your arm to give you anesthesia, sedatives or pain medicine. It ensures that you don’t feel any pain during the procedure. Then they will also check your vitals to make sure you are comfortable. For the procedure 

• You will lie on a table while the doctor inserts the camera through your anus into your rectum and then colon
• The scope inflates your intestine with air for a better view 
• The camera then sends a video image to a monitor allowing the doctor to examine the area
• It is possible you will be asked to move a little for better viewing
• Once the scope reaches your small intestines opening, the doctor will remove the scope and examine the lining of large intestine 

During the procedure, if any polyps are found they will be removed and sent for a lab test. You will not feel it being removed as the area will be numb.

Additional Read: Lab Test Discount with Bajaj Finserv Health

What happens after the colonoscopy procedure? 

Note the following things to do after your colonoscopy in done. 

• Rest till your anesthesia wears off completely; usually doctors may keep you at the hospital for a while
• Do not panic if you feel cramping or bloating for a little while after the procedure
• Follow the instructions given by your doctor for aftercare
• Recover and return to your normal diet after one day 

After you feel fine, your doctor will share the findings of your colonoscopy. If there were any polyps found or removed, you may experience light bleeding from the anus. The doctor will inform you the details from the start to the end of the procedure.

It is wise to get started with colonoscopy screening at the age of 45 to steer clear of any serious health issues. However, in case you have an existing intestine disorder, doctors may recommend a colonoscopy to you at a younger age. If you notice any symptoms after undergoing colonoscopy, consult your doctor immediately. For any concern, book an online consultation on Bajaj Finserv Health to get complete health solution at one place. You can also avail affordable health policies by browsing the Complete Health Solution plans under the Aarogya Care Health Insurance. What’s best is, prioritizing your health is now easier than ever!